What's happening?

Starting 13th June 2012, the Rio +20 the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development begins. Kalpavriksh will be present at the meeting, mostly taking part in the parallel People's Summit, and in networks dealing with alternatives and community conservation

1) Proposing a People's Sustainability Treaty (PST) on Radical Ecological Democracy- this is part of the PST process in which civil society groups are trying to come up with alternatives, citizen-led initiatives at achieving sustainability, equity, and justice. Several events will be organised on this at Rio and will be annonced on their Events page (Peoples' Sustainability Treaties).

Mr. K. Ramnarayan,Co-Coordinator - Kumaon, Uttarakhand Save the Rivers Campaign, has forwarded a Petition with repect to the visit by a sub committee of the FAC to assess the award of Forest Clearance for the 261 MW NTPC Rupsiyabagad Khasiyabada HEP on the Gori Ganga River, in Munsiari, Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. The petition highlights the facts, flaws and lacunae about the proposed project, in addition to the points submitted on the 21st of April 2012.

Parbot Ko Pret (a Nepali translation of Ghost of the Mountains by Sujatha Padmanabhan) was published by Kalpavriksh, Himalayan Nature (a Kathmandu based NGO), and the Snow Leopard Conservancy-India Trust. The translation was done by Shri Karan Bahadur Shah. The book was released at the closing ceremony of the 17th Wildlife Week organized by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation and its partner organisations. The chief guest at the function was the Honorable Secretary Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation, Mr Nabin Ghimire. Free for dissemination

Kalpavriksh along with Parisar, Prayas, Centre for Environment Education, SOPPECOM, and Manthan, has initiated the Alternatives Forum Pune. The AFP's main objective is to discuss and take forward experiences and concepts that present an alternative to the current unsustainable and inequitable model of development.'

This was the first Sangam, hosted by Timbaktu Collective at Timbaktu, a picturesque location in Andhra Pradesh in the lap of wonderfully regenerated nature and the heart of rich culture. Timbaktu, the name, itself had a very fascinating story behind it which added to the whole unconventional spirit of the Sangam. The location as well as the space aesthetically merged with the theme and idea of the Sangam.

The three days of the Sangam, 17th to 19th of October, were a unique experience filled with inspiring stories, some brain-storming and discussions, singing, dancing and several mouth-watering meals made from locally produced organic crops.